# Distribution vs Docker Hub

| Attribute | Distribution | Docker Hub |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 59.4 (67% (medium)) | 60.3 (74% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 8 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 2,403 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 10,582 | - |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | Open-source registry implementing OCI Distribution Spec version 1.0.1 that enables you to store and distribute container images with full control over your distribution pipeline. | Docker Hub is a cloud-based registry where developers can publish, discover, and use pre-built container images. It offers both community-contributed and official hardened images with built-in security scanning and vulnerability remediation. |
| features.capabilities | `{"web_ui":false,"hosting":"self","sbom_support":false,"image_signing":true,"oci_compliant":true,"private_repos":true,"artifact_types":"images","cloud_iam_native":false,"high_availability":true,"vulnerability_scanning":false}` | `{"web_ui":true,"hosting":"cloud","artifact_types":"images","vulnerability_scanning":true}` |
| integrations.count | - | 6 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"LambdaTest"},{"name":"OpenShift"},{"name":"GitHub"},{"name":"Perplexity"},{"name":"Browserbase"},{"name":"ElevenLabs"}]` |
| language.primary | Go | - |
| license.spdx | Apache-2.0 | - |
| market.availability | - | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"linux":true}` | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","summary":"Open source under Apache license","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://distribution.github.io/distribution/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-13T20:46:36.181Z"}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Personal","summary":"Free","features":["Docker Desktop","Docker Engine + Kubernetes","Docker Hub","Docker Scout","Docker Debug","Docker Build Cloud free trial","Testcontainers Cloud free trial"],"minSeats":1,"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For individual developers who need the essential tools to build and deploy containers","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"users":"1","scout_repos":"1","private_repos":"1","hub_pulls_per_hour":"100"}},{"free":false,"name":"Pro","summary":"$9/user/mo (monthly) or $11/user/mo (annual)","features":["Docker Build Cloud","Testcontainers Cloud","Synchronized File Shares","Docker Scout health scores","5 business day support response"],"minSeats":1,"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":11,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For individual professionals who require more advanced features and additional resources","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"users":"1","scout_repos":"2","hub_pull_rate":"unlimited","build_cloud_minutes":"200 per month","testcontainers_cloud_minutes":"100 per month"}},{"free":false,"name":"Team","summary":"$15/user/mo (monthly) or $16/user/mo (annual)","features":["Add users in bulk","Audit logs","Docker Hub role-based access control","Unlimited Docker Scout-enabled repos","Unlimited private repos","2 business day support response"],"minSeats":1,"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":15,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":16,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For small teams that need collaborative tools to make working together more efficient","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"users":"up to 100","scout_repos":"unlimited","hub_pull_rate":"unlimited","organizations":"1","private_repos":"unlimited","build_cloud_minutes":"500 per month","organization_tokens":"10","testcontainers_cloud_minutes":"500 per month"}},{"free":false,"name":"Business","summary":"$24/user/mo","features":["Hardened Docker Desktop","Single Sign-On (SSO)","SCIM user provisioning","Image and Registry Access Management","Desktop Insights Dashboard","Enhanced container Isolation","Invoice billing","1 business day support response"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":24,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For enterprises desiring robust security, control, and compliance features","contactSales":true,"includedLimits":{"users":"unlimited","scout_repos":"unlimited","hub_pull_rate":"unlimited","organizations":"unlimited","private_repos":"unlimited","build_cloud_minutes":"1500 per month","organization_tokens":"100","testcontainers_cloud_minutes":"1500 per month"}},{"free":true,"name":"Docker Hardened Images (DHI) - Community","summary":"Free","features":["Hardened, minimal images","Near-zero CVEs","Verifiable SBOMs & SLSA Build L3 provenance","Full, unsuppressed CVE visibility","Drop-in adoption, no workflow changes","Full catalog of open source images under Apache 2.0","Docker Hardened System Packages"],"description":"Secure, transparent, and no-cost base images for every developer","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Docker Hardened Images (DHI) - Select","summary":"Starting at $5k/repo","features":["Everything in community, plus","FIPS/STIG variants","Critical CVE fixes < 7 days with SLA-backed continuous patching","Up to 5 customizations"],"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":5000,"currency":"USD"}],"description":"Production-ready security with compliance support","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Docker Hardened Images (DHI) - Enterprise","summary":"Contact for pricing","features":["Everything in Select, plus","Unlimited customizations, including system packages","Access to Hardened System Packages repo","Full catalog access available","Extended Lifecycle Support add-on available"],"description":"Advanced security controls and unlimited customization","contactSales":true}],"summary":"Free tier available. Personal $0, Pro $9-11/user/mo, Team $15-16/user/mo, Business $24/user/mo. Docker Hardened Images from free to $5k+/repo.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://hub.docker.com","retrievedAt":"2026-08-05T13:21:02.154Z","startingPrice":{"amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | free |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 55 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.1.1","date":"2026-05-01T15:51:50Z","type":"stable","version":"v3.1.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.1.0","date":"2026-04-06T17:09:31Z","type":"stable","version":"v3.1.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.0.0","date":"2025-04-03T06:25:36Z","type":"stable","version":"v3.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.0.0-rc.4","date":"2025-03-22T14:59:29Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v3.0.0-rc.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.0.0-rc.3","date":"2025-02-11T16:21:07Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v3.0.0-rc.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.0.0-rc.2","date":"2024-12-18T15:23:19Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v3.0.0-rc.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.0.0-rc.1","date":"2024-11-07T21:04:41Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v3.0.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.0.0-beta.1","date":"2024-07-10T13:22:40Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v3.0.0-beta.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v3.0.0-alpha.1","date":"2023-12-19T16:03:36Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v3.0.0-alpha.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.8.3","date":"2023-10-02T18:23:54Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.8.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.8.2","date":"2023-05-11T10:47:43Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.8.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.8.2-beta.2","date":"2023-05-09T23:32:56Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v2.8.2-beta.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.8.2-beta.1","date":"2023-05-09T22:42:12Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v2.8.2-beta.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.8.1","date":"2022-03-08T18:19:10Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.8.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.8.0","date":"2022-02-07T15:53:07Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.8.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.8.0-beta.1","date":"2022-01-21T16:49:13Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v2.8.0-beta.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.7.1","date":"2019-01-17T23:22:32Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.7.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.7.0","date":"2018-12-04T00:20:01Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.7.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.7.0-rc.0","date":"2018-09-28T23:23:36Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v2.7.0-rc.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/distribution/distribution/releases/tag/v2.6.2","date":"2017-07-20T21:20:00Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.6.2"}]` | - |
| reliability.status_page | yes | yes |
| security.scorecard | 7.9 | - |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":4,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=go&package_name=github.com%2Fdistribution%2Fdistribution%2Fv3&per_page=100","last_12m":3,"max_severity":"HIGH"}` | - |

## Capabilities (Container Registries)

| Capability | Distribution | Docker Hub |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Hosting | Self-hosted only | Cloud only |
| **Standards** |  |  |
| OCI Distribution Spec compliant | ✓ | - |
| **Scope** |  |  |
| Artifact types | Container images only | Container images only |
| **Security** |  |  |
| Built-in vulnerability scanning | ✗ | ✓ |
| Image signing (Cosign/Notation) | ✓ | - |
| SBOM generation / storage | ✗ | - |
| **Access** |  |  |
| Fine-grained RBAC / robot accounts | - | - |
| Private repositories | ✓ | - |
| **Distribution** |  |  |
| Geo-replication / mirroring | - | - |
| Pull-through cache / proxy | - | - |
| **Integration** |  |  |
| Native cloud IAM integration | ✗ | - |
| **Pricing** |  |  |
| Pull-rate limits | - | - |
| **UX** |  |  |
| Web UI / console | ✗ | ✓ |
| **Ops** |  |  |
| High-availability deployment | ✓ | - |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:03:21.389Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*